BDF ‘on Holiday’ in Mozambique

Daniel Chida
YET TO FIRE: Soldiers preparing to depart for Mozambique

A month after being deployed to Mozambique as part of SADC’s efforts to aid the country in its fight against Islamic Militants, members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) are said to be enjoying what is effectively ‘a free holiday’.

Information emerging from Cabo Delgado, in the northern tip of Mozambique, is that the dispatched BDF personnel are yet to experience combat. Indeed, it seems they have not been given any duties, with Rwanda running the show.

According to a reliable source, the local troops spend most of their day idling about with nothing to do.

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“Some have even taken advantage of the unexpected free time, visiting the nearest beach in their civvies [personal clothes],” claimed the army insider.

“They haven’t been allocated their operations and it will be difficult for them to engage too. There are procedures to be followed when planning for such an operation and some of them include spying and winning the trust of local people. Maybe that’s what some are still doing because from what we have heard they haven’t done anything,” added another source based at Thebephatshwa Barracks.

When contacted for an update on the current status of proceedings in Mozambique, BDF Spokesperson, Colonel Tebo Dikobe retorted simply, “The BDF does not discuss operational matters as this has the propensity to compromise operational security.”

Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Peggy Serame told Parliament last week that P204 million was required by the Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security to cover the costs of deploying 296 soldiers in Mozambique.

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